Francesca made it to the second round of the Uncle Tobey's Harcourt, but she fell in the 2nd round to top seed Patty Schnyder.

Good Luck in 2003 Francesca:D!

Bероника

Jan 9th, 2003, 10:40 PM

http://just-win.com/womenstennis2/10687.jpg

Bероника

Jan 9th, 2003, 10:41 PM

http://just-win.com/womenstennis2/10673.jpg

Bероника

Jan 9th, 2003, 10:48 PM

Francesca is from Milan

Bероника

Jan 12th, 2003, 06:04 PM

Francesca plays Anca Barna of Germany in the first round of Australian Open.I hope she'll get past her.
Come on,Francesca!!!!

Benny

Jan 15th, 2003, 02:32 AM

Sadly Francesca lost:sad::sad:

Good Luck in your next tourney Francesca:D:D

Benny

Feb 18th, 2003, 09:05 AM

Ist Round Dubai:

Francesca Schiavone def Tathiana Panova 6-4 6-0:D

Bероника

Feb 22nd, 2003, 01:45 PM

Hi friends!
I just created a cheering thread for Francesca in Scottsdale forum.Come cheer for her!

http://www.wtaworld.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=57950

Scottsdale tournament will take place next week.
GO FRANCESCA!!!

Kuilli

Mar 7th, 2003, 09:28 AM

Here are few pics of Francesca that I took in Scottsdale: :)
http://photos.tenniswta.com/Francesca_Scottsdale03.html

Bероника

Mar 7th, 2003, 06:23 PM

Thanks!!! :D

fammmmedspin

Mar 8th, 2003, 03:32 AM

31) Francesca Schiavone (ITA) d. (WC) Tatiana Golovin (FRA) 75 75
:D

Bероника

Mar 8th, 2003, 09:09 AM

yeah :bounce: :bounce: :bounce:

Vamos Francesca!!!

Next she has to play Kim Clijsters. :( Well,best of luck,Francesca!!!Just do your best!!!

fammmmedspin

Mar 10th, 2003, 03:29 AM

Very interesting. She held the world number three to 5 and 4. :) She served for the first set :lick: and was a break up in the second :drool: if I remember rightly. Pretty promising ;) .

Anyone have a view on Francesa's serve? I watched the stats at the US Open and was surprised to see her win games with aces and 106 MPH :worship: serves (c170 kph?) but when I looked at the match stats I then found her average speeds were even slower than Martina Hingis's. Obviously she doesn't want to damage herself but you wonder what she was serving like today when it mattered?

fammmmedspin

Mar 17th, 2003, 01:34 AM

http://www.wtaworld.com/showthread.php?threadid=60825
is a NASDAQ thread by Lokon. If you kook down the thread you will find Lokon has posted a number of sets of pictures - one of these sets has 2 nice pictures of Francesca. Worth a look.

fammmmedspin

Mar 19th, 2003, 01:38 AM

argh what an awful NASDAQ draw - she got Kim early and now gets Serena in round 2! On the other hand if Serena doesn't turn up its a good draw.......

I love her fighting spirit.No doubt her website is called the lioness.You go Francesca!!! :bounce:

fammmmedspin

Mar 30th, 2003, 01:54 AM

well Serena may have had a stomach bug (who can tell) but Francesca almost had the first set :cool: (thats numbers 1 and 3 in the world she has done well against recently :D ) and there was this amazing match stat: Fastest serve Williams S 110mph, Sciavone 110mph. :worship: Read and then look at their sizes! If she can work out why she is losing those serve for the set games.....
I was beginning to worry about her losing points by bumping into the top 3 early in tournaments but there is the other argument that you get better by playing the best and she ought to be encouraged :lick: that she can stay with the very best when she faces lower ranked players.

OK. its time Francesca's luck changed. She has played Serena, Kim and Jen and kept close to them (actually got ahead of them) but meeting them early in those draws cut her points back from where she should be in the rankings and allowed the people with easier draws to go ahead :( . Then the taped thigh appeared against Jen and she lost early in Rome :eek: . She deserves some luck now to defend her points and perhaps add some. Lets hope for Fran to be healthy and to get to play with Jen's head by doing the things that only Fran (and Patty) can :lick: . Go Francesca :bounce:

I read in today's scoring thread that she was in tears after her fourth round triumph over Ai - I just wish I could have been there to witness it in person. She's such a fierce competitor and I was thrilled at how she was able to hang in ther mentally and pull through against Ai a fighter in her own right.

She looked fatigued (mostly mentally) against Jen but who could blame her having to be ready to play for three days straight. Fought gamely though and made it a battle in the second set.

Keep climbing girl, the Top 20 is definitely is now well within your reach! :D

Bероника

Sep 5th, 2003, 04:19 PM

I'm so proud of her.She's played a fantastic US Open,except for the last matcH.
Congrats,Francesca!!!! Keep it going,ragazza!!!!

Bероника

Sep 24th, 2003, 08:24 PM

In Leipzig tourney Francesca said goodbye in the first round.She lost to Sandra Kleinova 7-6,6-4

Darop.

Oct 2nd, 2003, 02:45 PM

FRANCESCA IS IN QF IN MOSCOW!! :D:D:D:D:D:D:D

She def. Safina 7-6 7-5!!!

Bероника

Oct 3rd, 2003, 01:24 AM

yeah!!! Good luck tomorrow!!!

fammmmedspin

Nov 27th, 2003, 03:51 AM

Great year for Francesca. Top 20 is where she belongs. :bounce:

Fran now has 2 points to defend at AO (100 before that) and if she can keep the 100 total or improve on it may avoid all those early round meetings with Venus, serena and Kim that she had last year. That may help her points total some more.

:bigwave: Well done Francesca

Happy new year. :bigclap:

Nube

Jan 4th, 2004, 11:05 PM

Good Luck with the new season Francesca :)
she lost against maria antonia but it doesn't matter, she will be luckier the next time :kiss:

Darop.

Jan 5th, 2004, 03:25 PM

yeh, a pretty da loss for kekka...:sad:

Well, the season has just started :)

GoSandrine

Jan 9th, 2004, 09:35 AM

Bad loss to open the year but it's early.

Forza Francesca! :hearts:

GoSandrine

Jan 13th, 2004, 03:11 AM

Francesca slipped past Jelena Jankovic 6-4, 3-6, 6-4 in Sydney and awaits the winner of Ai Sugiyama or Nathalie Dechy in Round Two. She'll have to pick up her game to get past either of those two...

Forza!!! :bounce:

ALPHA

Jan 13th, 2004, 05:24 PM

.

Francesca Schiavone

Leipzig, September 2003

.

http://www.71213.com/tennis/23sept03_047_0ws.JPG

.

Enjoy & respect copyright, please.

.

Bероника

Jan 13th, 2004, 06:19 PM

Forza FRancesca!!!

GoSandrine

Jan 15th, 2004, 03:56 AM

Francesca wizzed past Nathalie Dechy yesterday 6-0, 6-4 and has a spot in the quarterfinals.

Hopefully Francesca will hold her nerve against Anna Smashnova Pistolesi today and grab a spot in the semi-finals...

FORZA!!! :cool:

Lapin

Jan 15th, 2004, 01:07 PM

Francesca beat Anna Smashnova-Pistolesi 6/2, 6/2 and is now in the semis where she'll play Amélie!! :D

A pair of Italians survived three-set encounters on the first day of action at the Open Gaz de France in Paris. No. 5 seed Francesca Schiavone (http://www.wtatour.com/players/playerprofiles/playerbio.asp?PlayerID=190666) (left), the highest seed playing on Day 1, rallied in the third set to defeat Emilie Loit, 62 46 63.

http://www.wtatour.com/global/photos_rx/schiavone_3140_rx.jpg

GoSandrine

Feb 10th, 2004, 04:11 AM

(5) Francesca Schiavone (ITA) d. Emilie Loit (FRA) 62 46 63

Excellent win in enemy territory! :yeah:

Continued good play Francesca...FORZA!!! :cool:

Darop.

Feb 10th, 2004, 01:45 PM

yay Franci, I expected kekka to lose, i even voted against her in paw :o :p

Darop.

Feb 12th, 2004, 12:10 PM

<francesca was up 5-2 against Sprem, but it is now 6-5 sprem kekka serving deuce. I think one of the two got injured cuz the scoreboard isnt updating :confused:

Hey, is it true Francesca has withdrawn from Antwerp? :confused: I read in in Antwerp forum. If so, I hope it's not injury related. I suspect Fran may just need a week off to recover as she appears to be playing a heavy schedule early on but not sure.

On another note, congrats to Fran on reaching the Top 15 this week!!! :aparty:

Francesca's match against Dinara Safina was so great to watch, and really she was unlucky to lose it (6/4 in the third set), but it was full of great rallies and excitement for all three sets!! :D Later Francesca and Sylvia played doubles (second round) against Dinara Safina and Daja Bedanova. They lost the first set 0/6 :eek: , then went 4/0 up in the second before winning it 6/2, in the final set they went a break down 0/2 immediately, but after breaking back for 4/4, they broke Dinara's serve and then Francesca served out the match!! :D They were so happy when they won, and it was funny because they had been behind the whole match until Francesca served at 5/4 in the third set! :lol: After the match Dinara and Daja left the court quickly, Sylvia and Francesca chatted for a while and then Sylvia left, but Francesca came over to sign autographs and throw towels to the small group of spectators waiting for her; she really is so friendly to the crowd (she seems very popular in Paris) and is so entertaining to watch playing tennis! :D I'm glad to see that they got all the way to the final. No disgrace to lose to the experience of Patty Schnyder and Babsi Schett! ;) (I am hoping that Francesca and Sylvia will play doubles at the Olympics together).

GoSandrine

Mar 4th, 2004, 01:09 AM

Lapin, sorry I missed your post earlier. Thanks for the great pix and report. :kiss:

Too bad she and Silvia couldn't take home the doubles trophy but I'm glad Fran put on a good show overall.

A tough loss in Dubai to Kuznetsova 6-4, 6-4 but at least it was to the eventual finalist. Encouraging stuff so far this year.

Virginie always plays well on her home turf so this is a solid second round win. :yeah:

I may be getting ahead of myself but I really like Francesca's chances of getting to the quarters. Vivi is tough on clay but Fran will be favored. Jennifer is struggling so an upset would be quite possible there especially with Fran playing with so much confidence this spring. Her win over Amelie a few weeks ago may have been the kicker.

And Francesca advances to the next round: :bounce: http://eur.news1.yimg.com/eur.yimg.com/ng/sp/afp_photo/20040529/sge.upz43.290504104650.photo00.default-269x384.jpg

fammmmedspin

May 31st, 2004, 03:56 AM

Fran looked upset at that loss. She had the point for a 5-2 lead and jennifer was getting red with running. If it had gone to 3 Fran or she had been able to win in 2 she had tired Jen, the jen hip was hurting and Jen was getting frustrated. You can see why Fran got upset when the first set slipped away on errors and double faults.

Eurosport had an interesting commentary. They thought Fran had the shots of a top player and more variety than Jennifer but had too many choices and made the wrong ones or took too much risk at the wrong time. She should watch the first 6 1/2 games when she outplayed Jen.

can't say Jen impreseed me moaning about Fran's grunt and taking the injury time out when she was red from running so much. Interesting to see if she moans about Serena's grunt.

GoSandrine

Jun 1st, 2004, 02:58 AM

I'm surprised Fran got so down on herself after losing the first set. I missed the first and only saw half of the second. By that time Jennifer was hitting the ball solidly and Francesca was making numerous errors.

If Jen took the timeout in the first set when she was trailing it was a good tactical move on her part. Fran has the game to play with just about anyone so if that upset her she shouldn't have let it. I don;t mean to sound harsh but she needs to learn to look past these things and just let her play speak for itself.

Good tourney overall but to beat the top players on the big occasions she needs to tough it out mentally. Keep plugging Francesca. Hopefully the doubles she's been playing with Silvia will hold her in good stead for Wimbledon. :kiss:

Bероника

Jun 14th, 2004, 02:05 AM

Francesca will be playing the Eastbourne tourney this week to prepare for Wimbledon.In the first round,she'll face a qualifier.Although I know grass is not Fran's fave surface,I want to wish her good luck!!!

Forza Francesca!!! :bounce:

Bероника

Jun 14th, 2004, 11:16 PM

Ok,we know the name of her rival:Alicia Molik.In my oppinion,Francesca couldn't have worst luck with a qualifier as Molik is seriously dangerous player in grass.Let's hope our girl will play her best though.

Forza Francesca!!!!

Bероника

Jun 16th, 2004, 04:06 PM

Fran just lost... :(

Tina Pisnik (SLO) d. (7) Francesca Schiavone (ITA) 76(2) 75

GoSandrine

Jun 17th, 2004, 01:35 AM

Tough loss to Tina but at least she pulled one out against Alicia who's been playing well and is a tough out on grass.

BTW, last year at J&SCup Schiavone and Daniilidou played doubles together and I think they're a great team - went all the way to the final but lost to Maleeva/somebody in 3 sets. I'd like to see them play together again.

Saw most of Francesca's match today and I can report that Fran played well although she was helped out by a ton of errors by Stephanie. She basically overpowered Steph who fought gamely but just didn't have it today.

Impressive Angela Haynes now lurking in Round Three. :scared: Should be a fun match probably on Grandstand or Armstrong. :D

These lefties were all right
By Bud Collins, Globe Correspondent | September 4, 2004

NEW YORK -- Francesca Schiavone, the daughter of a Milan bus driver, was traveling on foot in Flushing. Fast. Desperately. A yellow tennis ball had risen like the sun over her head -- deftly lobbed by lefthander Angela Haynes -- descending at the baseline, and bounding toward the backstop.

ADVERTISEMENT
A winner? Not quite, although it should have been. In frantic pursuit, the sinewy Schiavone overtook the ball just before it bounced twice and performed the wicket shot. Her back to the net, the dark-haired Italian flicked her racket like a pendulum between her legs, whacking a return.

Haynes, a nimble 19-year-old from the town made famous by Sisters Williams, Compton, Calif., dashed to the net properly, but . . .

"I was shocked. I was just, like, what the . . . What is this?" said Haynes. "I'm too busy looking at Francesca. She still has her back turned and everything. I'm looking at her. Then I realized, here's the volley. It was too late."

The ball was in her face. Startled, Haynes bungled the easy shot. It would have given her a chance to win the second set of this US Open third-rounder. But it was too late. Haynes, No. 185 in the female pecking order, a wild card, didn't win the 12th game. Taken into a tiebreaker, she missed the bus to upset city, and was beaten by the 16th-seeded Schiavone, 6-3, 7-6 (7-3).

Schiavone said her rare, brilliant shot is called a "colpo tra le gambe -- shot between the legs" where she comes from. "I try it before, make it sometimes. A big point for me today. Maybe more dangerous for a man than a woman. But I don't know."

GoSandrine

Sep 4th, 2004, 07:39 PM

Franny is such a crackup :lol:

Great win yesterday! :yeah:

Veronika, I'm torn also because I love Amelie as well but I'll be rooting for underdog Francesca. I really think she has a chance tomorrow. :)

LafandeMary

Sep 5th, 2004, 12:11 AM

Personaly I like Francesca very much but not Amélie :lol:

So Forza francescaaaaaa :bounce:

fammmmedspin

Sep 5th, 2004, 04:30 PM

Go Fran.....remember she is probably more nervous than you and 150 QP would make a nice meal.......

fammmmedspin

Sep 6th, 2004, 02:48 AM

Great run by fran. Two good matches in the 3rd and 4th rds which won the crowd over, Momo just didn't let her get the breakback in the first and I havn't seen Momo play that well for a long time. Momo was doing an awful lot of work running side to side and you wonder who would have won a third set. 1 116MPH serve from Fran and some great points.

Shame about the draw though. Myskina's quarter would have been a joy. Momo was tough. Not getting quality points from Haynes was cruel and means a few places in the rankings. She is still number 20 though and Linz and Leipzig (and Bali?) could add the points back.

GoSandrine

Sep 6th, 2004, 05:51 AM

Nice effort Franny :hug:

Keep plugging and you'll get that big win in a Slam one of these times. :kiss:

Bероника

Sep 28th, 2004, 01:16 PM

Francesca is playing this week in Hasselt tournament.

She won her first match very easily.Way to go,Fran!

(5) Francesca Schiavone (ITA) d. Mara Santangelo (ITA) 62 60

Bероника

Sep 30th, 2004, 01:19 PM

Her second one was even easier.WOW Fran is on fire and advances to the QF!!!!

(5) Francesca Schiavone (ITA) d. Nuria Llagostera Vives (ESP) 61 60

DevilishAttitude

Oct 3rd, 2004, 09:54 PM

Franny takes on Molik
If she copes well with Molik's serve then she should win ;)

Darop.

Oct 13th, 2004, 10:56 PM

Franny def. Petrova today!!!!! :eek::eek: :woohoo:

DevilishAttitude

Oct 15th, 2004, 02:17 PM

Francesca lost to Davenport 6-4 6-1 :sad:

But excellent tournament :D

Darop.

Oct 17th, 2004, 08:59 PM

OMG Francesca vs Bovina again...:unsure:

fammmmedspin

Oct 23rd, 2004, 01:00 AM

Aargh. Bovina. pity Because she would have been safely into the top 20 if she won.

Fran seems to have not turned up on the list for Linz? Is this an injury - she was rubbing her arm in Zurich? She isn't down for Philly either which might be a problem as the group of people behind her in the rankings will overtake her and push her out of the top 20 if they can put together about 110 points. Shame if they do as some seem to have opted for the lower ranked tournaments over the next two weeks to get free points.

fammmmedspin

Nov 5th, 2004, 01:32 AM

Congratulations seem to be due to Francesca for ending the year in the top 20 again. She is number 19 and now Dechy is out can't as far as I can see possibly be caught. :bounce: :worship: And she is ranked 1 ahead of Silvia which makes her Italian number 1 too. :bounce: :worship: :hearts:

Thanks for the pix Veronica, Fran is 2-0 in singles play but her partner Davide Sanguinetti has let her down and Italy is in an 0-2 hole. :(

Keep pluggin Franny :kiss:

Bероника

Jan 5th, 2005, 04:11 PM

Fran,always a fighter,that's why I love her.It's good to see she starts the year on form even if her partner let her down.Forza Francesca!!!

Bероника

Jan 5th, 2005, 04:50 PM

Transcript - Francesca Schiavone (Italy)
2 January 2005

Francesca, congratulations. You like Perth, your singles record looks good here

Yes. I love it here (Perth), and I hope that it can be great for me and for Davide. It was a nice match nothing special and it was not easy because it was the first match of the year, but it is important that I am here, it is a great, great Hopman Cup.

What do you fear when you go into a match against an opponent on the way up? A young girl, she made a few unforced errors, but you have to think about your game don’t you?

I have to think about my match, my game and my concentration, because it is not easy to stay there every point, because she is good. She missed a few today but sometimes it was for her, sometimes it was for me.

You had a pretty good year last year. You won a doubles title; you played some quality opponents in singles. What are you goals for this year?

This year I would like to win a lot. That is my goal. And to improve my serve is an important thing for me. I would like to win a tournament in singles. That would be very good.

If your backhand works well all year, I think we are going to have a look at it now (looking at the TV), you might well win tournament in singles. It was a good weapon today.

Yes I played good shots, when I could and I can to the net and that was great, but it was the first match so step by step.

What have you done between the last match at the end of last year and now? Have you done a lot of work?

Yes a lot of work.

Or not much

No. A holiday first and after that there was a lot of work with Daniel and JoJo. Hard but it is important for the rest of the year.

Finally, the prospect of a mixed doubles encounter. You have played with Davide here before and you will be up against Coria, who is a very good player but he hasn’t played mixed. What is your attitude going to be?

I know I read in the newspaper that he never has played mixed doubles. But I think that Davide can play very well in singles so you never know maybe it is 2-0 and it is much easier. In the case of playing mixed with Davide, I feel good with him and we have already played here. It is an open match.

Can we put our hands together first of all for the fighting Italians: Francesca Schiavone and Davide Sanguinetti. Davide, first of all the match, three set points in the first set slipped away, but you were competitive throughout.

(Sanguinetti) We tried to give it our best shot, unfortunately they were too good today, and I have to congratulate Tommy and say that he played an unbelievable match in singles and he deserved to win. Congratulations.

Well done. Your match in singles you looked a bit out of sorts there. It wasn’t happening for you at times.

(Sanguinetti) Well I guess he out-played me and was serving too well and he played a really good match so he was tough for me today.

What about that rally with Anna-Lena in the early part of the second set. She showed a bit of power.

(Sanguinetti) Which one I forgot?

Davide, well done. We will go across to Francesca. A lot of people might not be aware that Francesca has played six singles matches in two Hopman Cups and hasn’t lost a match yet. That is an enviable record. That’s terrific. Congratulations on that, you just love it here.

(Schiavone) Yeah I love to stay here. I enjoy this tournament. I can’t win the mixed doubles though.

We know you haven’t won a mixed doubles, but I am not going to mention that.

(Sanguinetti) She never lost a singles, but we have never won a doubles.

You were very competitive there. A terrific match, terrific entertainment.

(Schiavone) And he has never won a singles so…

Could you please have your blues in the change rooms.

(Schiavone) Absolutely. Davide is a great boy and I enjoy it a lot with him. In the mixed doubles it is very tough.

It is very tough, but you played a terrific match tonight. Congratulations. The Italian connection, Davide Sanguinetti and Francesca Schiavone. Well, we will go across to Anna-Lena, first of all. What about Anna-Lena’s form? What a revelation. That backhand, the ground strokes. Congratulations on your form. Have you surprised yourself a little bit here? Or have you just played up to expectation?

(Groenefeld) Well I think we played a really good mixed today. It was a lot of fun. We played aggressively. I think that was the key that we kept playing aggressively.

Your play was aggressive. Where does that competitive edge come from? Have you always had it? Has it been in the family?

(Groenefeld) Probably, yeah. I like to play aggressively. That is my game and I am enjoying it.

Well last night you took on Marat Safin, tonight Sanguinetti. That rally in the early part of the second set that he didn’t need to be reminded of - 22 shots it was, and you held you own.

(Groenefeld) It was a really long rally. I didn’t know how much longer I could hold on for but I made it.

Congratulations on your form. Absolutely terrific. Tommy Haas when you came here in 1998, you didn’t win a match. Now it is four from four. Terrific. Are you enjoying yourself?

(Haas) I definitely do yes. It is a lot of fun. The first time I came here I was just starting on the Tour. I was 19-years-old, didn’t know what I was doing. Now I finally know how to put the ball into play a couple of times, so I am happy to finally get a couple of matches in.

An important time for you. You have come back well from the shoulder injury. 15 months out of the game, does it ever give you any trouble now?

(Haas) Not too much right now. Thanks for making me think about it again. I try not to think about it. As long as the shoulder holds up and my body stays fit, I love to play this game, I love it and hopefully I can play many more years.

What’s a realistic target for you this year. Do you look at the top echelon? You have been there before. Do you want to get back there?

(Haas) Yes obviously it would be nice to get back in the top 10. That is like a goal for this year. But like as I said, just to be out there every week competing and being healthy and enjoying the sport. That is the main goal.

You have only known Anna-Lena four days. You might have found yourself a mixed doubles partner.

(Haas)Yeah I know I am thinking about maybe playing some of the Slams with her this year. She is playing really terrifically. She hung in there very well in the first set and the second set. Also I think she only got broken once in the two mixed doubles. She is doing really well.

Finally you have got a match coming up a bit later in the week against Guillermo Coria. You haven’t played him before, I understand. Are you looking forward to that?

(Haas) Yeah he is a tough little fella. He runs every ball down, doesn’t make many mistakes, so I am going to have to play some great tennis in order to beat him.

Congratulation Tommy Haas and Anna-Lena Groenefeld. You are now in position to make the Final. A little bit of work to do, but well done tonight

forzaitaliane!!!

Jan 6th, 2005, 12:22 PM

ma c'č qualche italiano qui?Are italians here?

sorry for my english.....

fammmmedspin

Jan 13th, 2005, 07:36 PM

Odd start to the year. Playing Sydney and not defending canberra's 130 points knocks Fran's ranking back to around 23. Getting molik in the Sydney first round was bad luck but Canberra was pretty open for Fran to defend there - perhaps getting a title or easier points might be something to do? On the positive side, Fran's old points total would make her no 16 at present and there are very few points between 25 and 16 at the moment so a good run anywhere would move you up considerably.

Italian number two Francesca Schiavone got the home side off to the perfect start with a comprehensive 75 63 win over Dinara Safina to give Itay a 1 - 0 lead. Schiavone blew an early 5-2 lead, but stormed back to take the first set showing her wealth of experience on clay. Tatiana Garbin now has the difficult job of taking on world number five Elena Dementieva.

I hope Franny's not seriously injured and will be ready to lace em up in Rome :scared:

Bероника

May 1st, 2005, 04:30 PM

yeah let's hope I've read nothing already about it so we can only wait and see i guess...

Forza Fran!!!

Bероника

May 10th, 2005, 12:55 AM

Italian Open:

Francesca Schiavone (ITA) d. Meghann Shaughnessy (USA) 75 60

Bероника

May 10th, 2005, 01:02 AM

http://eur.news1.yimg.com/eur.yimg.com/ng/sp/ap_photo/20050509/all/l1421897.jpg
lundi mai 9, 18h18
Italy's Francesca Schiavone (http://fr.sports.yahoo.com/te/profile/2027.html) returns a ball to Meghann Shaughnessy (http://fr.sports.yahoo.com/te/profile/305.html) from the U.S. during the women's Italian Open tennis tournament at Rome's

Now a center court clash with Serena. Hopefully Fran will bring her best stuff and pull out an upset win in front of the home fans.

Forza Franny! :bounce:

takaja

May 10th, 2005, 08:15 AM

Saturday i saw an interview where Francesca said it's good to play against serena when this is her first match on red clay, so Francesca was quite trusting with her chances; she also said she was sure about people's support and that this could be determining. :cool:

Forza Francesca :bounce: :bounce: :bounce:

GForce

May 11th, 2005, 09:02 PM

Franny is beating Serena right now 7-6, 2-0. I hope she can hang on...

Don't put up with any of Serena's bullying!! :(

takaja

May 11th, 2005, 09:53 PM

Francesca won 76 61 :banana: :woohoo: :banana:

Great win for Francesca! :yeah:

Perhaps this could be the right time to win a tournament for Fran? ;) :cool:

http://www.telecomitaliamasters.it/images/dummy.gifFrancesca Schiavone kept the hopes of the host nation alive on Thursday with a 63 75 win over Japan's Ai Sugiyama, moving into the quarter finals.

The victory, over the tournament's number 15 seed, puts Francesca on a roll given that on Wednesday night she put out number three seed and world number four Serena Williams, also in straight sets.

In Thursday's match she came back three times from a break down in the second set (at 2-0, 4-2 and 5-3) before breaking at 5-5, saving break points which would have forced the tie-break and then closing the match on her second match point.

Francesca now faces Russia's Vera Zvonareva, another seed, number six this time, who today came through the third round against qualifier Catalina Castano.

" This was a very tough challenge. To win I had to pull everything out of the bag. I managed to follow the suggestions of my coach to the letter. Now I will give it all to do well in front of this fantastic crowd, who supported me in an exceptional way," Schiavone said after the match.

The omens are however not particularly good. Schiavone lost last year in the Rome Tennis Masters in the same round - the quarters - against the same player: Zvonareva.

Schiavone and Zvonareva join Amelie Mauresmo Conchita Martinez, Russia's Linetskaya e Patty Schyder in the quarter finals. This evening on centre court the final third round match will take place under floodlights between Mary Pierce and number one seed Maria Sharapova, who will become number one in the world if she wins here in Rome.

takaja

May 12th, 2005, 10:23 PM

Another good match for Francesca :yeah:

Now she must beat Zvonareva: she can do it and it would be beautiful to win in Rome, "in front of this fantastic crowd", as she said ;) :D

Moreover if she'll reach the semifinals a lot of italian people will see her in TV :)

Francesca Schiavone of Italy celebrates after winning a point to Ai Sugiyama of Japan during their match at the Italian Open tennis tournament in Rome's Foro Italico sports complex, Thursday, May 12, 2005. Schiavone won 6-3, 7-5.

Francesca Schiavone of Italy celebrates after winning a point in her match against Ai Sugiyama of Japan at the Italian Open tennis tournament in Rome's Foro Italico sports complex, Thursday, May 12, 2005. Schiavone won 6-3, 7-5.
(AP Photo/ Ferdinando Mezzelani)

Francesca Schiavone of Italy celebrates after winning the match against Ai Sugiyama of Japan at the Italian Open tennis tournament in Rome's Foro Italico sports complex, Thursday, May 12, 2005. Schiavone won 6-3, 7-5.

Lapin

May 12th, 2005, 10:53 PM

Thanks for all the great pics and article!! :D Wow, what an exciting match today, Francesca is so funny and so entertaining on the court! :lol: She played really well again today; some great shots, like that volley in the final game! :bigclap: I'm already looking forward to the match tomorrow, just love watching her play, (especially in front of the Italian crowd :p ). She has such an exuberance when she plays and manages to convey her enjoyment of the game to those watching her so well!! Good luck against Vera, Francesca, you can do it!! :yeah:

GoSandrine

May 13th, 2005, 04:10 AM

Great expressions! :D :hearts: And I love her in the blue top :cool:

A terrific fight from a break down to finish off Ai in straight sets. :worship: I trust she'll be fresh enough now to give Vera fits in front of a raucous crowd. :devil:

Sorry Takaja...I understand you were hoping to see Fran in the semis tomorrow against Amelie :sad: :hug:

So close!!!!!!! :bigcry: but still a terrific tournament making headlines by knocking off Serena :yeah:

Go get em in Paris! :kiss:

takaja

May 13th, 2005, 08:46 PM

Sorry Takaja...I understand you were hoping to see Fran in the semis tomorrow against Amelie :sad: :hug:

So close!!!!!!! :bigcry: but still a terrific tournament making headlines by knocking off Serena :yeah:

I know :yeah:

The only thing is that Francesca sometimes make me a bit angry: she's a great fighter, nothing to say, but... so close, so close, but never a victory... :rolleyes:

Go get em in Paris! :kiss:

Obvoiusly good luck in Paris :bounce: :bounce: :bounce:

Lapin

May 18th, 2005, 02:14 PM

Yes, sad that Francesca didn't make the semis, 'cause I was hoping to see her play Amélie too!! :sad: But it was a great tournament for her!

Just thought I'd post this pic here which TatiAnnaholic posted in GM!

http://www.telecomitaliamasters.it/public/pop_schiavoneDSC_2129.jpg

:lol:

Bероника

May 20th, 2005, 03:13 PM

Francesca has drawn chinese player Jie Zheng in the first round of French Open.

Forza Francesca!!!! :bounce:

GoSandrine

May 21st, 2005, 09:26 PM

Yes, sad that Francesca didn't make the semis, 'cause I was hoping to see her play Amélie too!! :sad: But it was a great tournament for her!

Just thought I'd post this pic here which TatiAnnaholic posted in GM!

http://www.telecomitaliamasters.it/public/pop_schiavoneDSC_2129.jpg

:lol:

what grace :p

Not an easy FO draw for Fran. She'll need to be on her toes. :unsure: :p

Bероника

May 24th, 2005, 05:32 PM

http://us.news2.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20050524/capt.rog16105241611.france_tennis_french_open_rog1 61.jpg
Italy's Francesca Schiavone returns the ball to China's Jie Zheng during their first round match of the French Open tennis tournament at Roland Garros stadium, Tuesday May 24, 2005 in Paris.

takaja

May 24th, 2005, 10:52 PM

Francesca suffered, but won against Jie Zheng (CHN) 63 36 64

Forza Francesca :bounce: :bounce: :bounce:

GoSandrine

May 25th, 2005, 02:53 AM

Gritty win but a little too close for comfort :scared: Stay armed Francesca :armed: Another dangerous opponent awaits in Vaidisova. Play your game though and you'll be victorious. ;)

Forza! :bounce:

GoSandrine

May 28th, 2005, 07:43 AM

Through again with another determined win 6-2,7-6(5). :yeah: :kiss: Groenefeld is next.

No pressure Franny but you're the last one left. :p

Forza!!! :banana:

GoSandrine

May 28th, 2005, 04:09 PM

Brava!!!!!!! :bigclap:

From 1-4 down in the first and 3-5 down in the second Franny stormed back to beat Anna Lena 7-6(3),7-5. A great sign that Fran is really fighting through these tough matches. :cool: :D